Seatback speakers

ABSTRACT

Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to seats. More particularly, thedisclosure relates to seats with speakers having an acoustic exit in theseatback.

BACKGROUND

Conventional seats, for example, in vehicles, entertainment venues, andother locations, focus on user support and comfort. In some cases, theseseats integrate speakers for providing audio output. However, theseconventional seats fail to provide a consistent, satisfactory acousticoutput to a range of distinct users and/or seating positions.

SUMMARY

All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in anytechnically possible way.

Various implementations include seats and vehicles including seats. Inparticular cases, the seats include a loudspeaker assembly with anacoustic exit that is directed to provide an acoustic output to achievea consistent frequency response across a range of positions that deviatefrom a nominal ear position.

In some particular aspects, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; aseat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly including: at leastone driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixedin the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic outputto a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat,wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acousticoutput to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range ofpositions deviating from the nominal ear position.

In additional particular aspects, a vehicle includes a seat having: aseat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeakerassembly including: at least one driver for generating an acousticoutput; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion andangled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal earposition of an occupant of the seat, where a firing angle of the atleast one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistentfrequency response across a range of positions deviating from thenominal ear position.

In further particular aspects, a method includes providing an acousticoutput in a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly is located ina seat that has a seat headrest portion and a seat backrest portion. Theloudspeaker assembly has at least one driver for generating the acousticoutput, and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion andangled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal earposition of an occupant of the seat. In various implementations, thefiring angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output toachieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positionsdeviating from the nominal ear position.

Implementations may include one of the following features, or anycombination thereof.

In certain aspects, the nominal ear position of the occupant is theexpected seating position (or, location) for the occupant. In particularcases, this nominal ear position is equal to the ear position of themedian American male.

In particular cases, the acoustic exit is located below the nominal earposition of the occupant relative to a hip point of the seat, where theconsistent frequency response is characterized by a high frequency (HF)consistency greater than an HF consistency for an acoustic outputprovided to the nominal ear position.

In some implementations, the acoustic output from the seat has a HFfrequency response variation equal to or less than approximatelyone-half a HF frequency response variation for the acoustic outputprovided to the nominal ear position.

In particular cases, the HF frequency response variation of the acousticoutput from the seat is approximately one-third to approximatelyone-half the HF frequency response variation for the acoustic outputprovided to the nominal ear position.

In some implementations, HF is at least approximately 4 kilo-Hertz(kHz), and LF is equal to approximately 1 kHz or less.

In particular cases, mid-range frequency (MF) is equal to approximately1 kHz to approximately 4 kHz. In certain implementations, the acousticoutput from the seat has a MF frequency response variation that is lessthan a MF frequency response variation for the acoustic output providedto the nominal ear position.

In some aspects, the consistent frequency response is furthercharacterized by a LF consistency equal to or greater than a LFconsistency for an acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position.

In particular implementations, the seat includes a vehicle seat and theloudspeaker assembly is positioned in an outboard location (e.g., closerto an external wall or door), and the LF consistency of the acousticoutput from the seat is greater than the LF consistency for the acousticoutput provided to the nominal ear position.

In particular cases, the consistent frequency response includes afrequency response of the loudspeaker assembly, and the acoustic outputis characterized by at least one of: inter-aural isolation for theoccupant, or seat-to-seat isolation between multiple occupants of aspace including the seat.

In certain implementations, the seat includes two loudspeakerassemblies, and the seat-to-seat isolation is maintained by bothloudspeaker assemblies in the seat.

In some aspects, the location is approximately 60 millimeters below thenominal ear position, plus or minus approximately 50 millimeters, asmeasured from a hip point of the seat.

In particular aspects, the at least one driver is located proximate theacoustic exit.

In some cases, the at least one driver is separated from the acousticexit. In particular aspects, a channel or a waveguide is located betweenthe driver and the exit, such that the driver is located closer to thebase of the seat or the center of the seat than the acoustic exit.

In certain aspects, the positions deviating from the nominal earposition include lower positions associated with occupants sitting lowerin the seat, or higher positions associated with occupants sittinghigher in the seat.

In particular cases, the at least one driver has a downward firing anglerelative to a horizontal plane intersecting the front surface of theseat backrest portion adjacent to the acoustic exit. This occurs whenthe acoustic exit is further from the hip point

In some implementations, the acoustic exit has an upward firing anglerelative to a horizontal plane intersecting the front surface of theseat backrest portion adjacent to the acoustic exit. This occurs whenthe acoustic exit is closer to the hip point.

In particular aspects, at a recline angle of approximately 21 degreesfrom vertical, a center of the acoustic exit is approximately 562 mm toapproximately 650 mm vertically higher than a hip point of the seat. Inparticular examples, at the 21 degree recline angle, the center of theacoustic exit is approximately 562 mm to approximately 577 mm verticallyhigher than the hip point of the seat, and in more particular examples,the center of the acoustic exit (at 21 degree recline angle) isapproximately 567 mm to approximately 572 mm vertically higher than thehip point of the seat.

In other particular examples, at the 21 degree recline angle, the centerof the acoustic exit is approximately 642 mm to approximately 652 mmvertically higher than the hip point of the seat. In more particularcases, the height (h) of the exit is equal to or less than approximately650 mm, and in certain of these cases, is equal to approximately 647 mm.

In certain cases, the acoustic exit is fixed relative to the seatbackrest portion.

In some implementations, the seat headrest portion is adjustablerelative to the seat backrest portion.

In particular aspects, the seat headrest portion has at least a sectionthat is vertically aligned with a section of the seat backrest portionrelative to a hip point of the seat.

In certain implementations, the seat backrest extends above a nominalshoulder of the occupant.

In some cases, the seat is one of: a vehicle driver seat, a vehiclepassenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, or a homeentertainment seat.

In certain implementations, the vehicle passenger seat is a seat in aride sharing vehicle, a limousine, a bus, or a public transit vehicle.In particular cases, the vehicle passenger seat is one of a plurality ofvehicle passenger seats, one or more of which includes the loudspeakerassembly. In some aspects, the vehicle passenger seats are arrangedfacing one another, such as in an across-the-aisle configuration or ahuddle-around configuration.

In particular aspects, the seat backrest portion has a middle portionand two flanks extending from opposite sides of the middle portion,where without the occupant in the seat, a front surface of the backrestat each flank is angled relative to a front surface of the middleportion, and wherein the acoustic exit of the loudspeaker assembly islocated in one of the flanks. In certain of these cases, the acousticexit has an inward firing angle relative to the front surface of themiddle portion.

In some cases, the acoustic exit of each loudspeaker assembly isseparated from a centerline of the seat backrest portion byapproximately 180 mm to approximately 330 mm. In particular cases, theacoustic exit of each loudspeaker assembly is separated from thecenterline of the seat backrest portion by approximately 200 mm in anarrower case, and approximately 300 mm in a wider case.

In some cases, a vehicle includes the seat.

Two or more features described in this disclosure, including thosedescribed in this summary section, may be combined to formimplementations not specifically described herein.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objectsand benefits will be apparent from the description and drawings, andfrom the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an example seat according to variousimplementations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a seat, according tovarious implementations.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another portion of a seat, according tovarious implementations.

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of a seat, according to variousimplementations.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of a seat according to variousadditional implementations.

FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of a seat according to variousadditional implementations.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an example seat according to variousfurther implementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates acoustic exit locations in seats according to variousimplementations.

It is noted that the drawings of the various implementations are notnecessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalaspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the implementations. In the drawings, likenumbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is based, at least in part, on the realization that aloudspeaker, or a set of loudspeakers, can be beneficially deployed in aseat to provide a consistent frequency response across a range ofseating positions. For example, a seat such as a vehicle seat,entertainment venue seat, gaming seat, home entertainment seat, etc.,can include a loudspeaker assembly with an acoustic exit that is angledto provide an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency responseacross a range of positions that deviate from a nominal ear position ofa seat occupant. In various implementations, the acoustic exit of eachloudspeaker assembly is fixed in the seat backrest portion of the seat.In particular cases, the acoustic exit of each loudspeaker assembly islocated at or below the nominal ear position of the seat occupantrelative to the hip point of the seat. When compared with conventionalseats, the seats and vehicles disclosed herein provide more consistent,higher quality acoustic output across a range of seating positions.

Commonly labeled components in the FIGURES are considered to besubstantially equivalent components for the purposes of illustration,and redundant discussion of those components is omitted for clarity.

Seats, for example, vehicle seats (such as seats used in cars, trucks,buses, trains, aircraft, boats or other vehicles), entertainment venueseats (e.g., movie theater seats, sporting or concert venue seats,etc.), gaming seats, and/or home entertainment seats (e.g., home theaterseats) can be fitted with acoustic transducers or speakers fordelivering an acoustic experience. In some cases, speakers are fittedinto seats such that the speakers are proximate to the ears of anoccupant of the seat. In some cases, speakers are integrated within seatheadrests or headrest wings. Such headrest speakers can provideexcellent acoustic performance (e.g., in terms of providing inter-seatisolation and/or binaural control, e.g., inter-aural parameter control)by virtue of being close to the ears of the seat occupant. However, forsome seats (e.g., some vehicle seats), headrest speakers may not be thebest choice. For example, mechanical and electrical integration may bechallenging in some cases. Some headrests are designed to be thin andlow-bulk and may not have enough volume to accommodate headrestspeakers. Headrest speakers may cause the seat or headrest to have ahigh center of mass (and thereby possibly needing additional seatreinforcements). Speakers may compete with other mechanical componentsof the headrest. In addition, wiring headset speakers through headrestconnectors may be challenging for some seats. Even further, headrestwings can limit visibility, cause safety concerns and/or undesirableacoustic performance when a user turns his head.

Seat speakers may also be integrated, at least in part, in a backrest ofa vehicle seat. Some such speakers may be disposed on a top surface of abackrest or otherwise very near the top surface, e.g., as close to theears as possible, and configured to radiate acoustic energy towards anominal ear position of a seat occupant. From an integrationperspective, backrest speakers may be preferred over headrest speakersin some cases, for example, because they have a lower center of massthan headrest speakers, may be easier to integrate into seats due tomore available space in the seat backrest and/or because unlike headrestspeakers, the associated wiring does not need to be passed through theheadrest posts.

The technology described in this document allows for leveraging theadvantages of backrest speakers in an improved manner such that mayrival or beat the acoustic performance of headrest speakers. In variousimplementations, the technology described in this document can leverageadvantages of backrest speakers in an improved manner relative toheadrest speakers, particularly for acoustic experiences that go beyondmusic reproduction, e.g., conducting phone calls and/or outputting audioat distinct volume levels relative to other seats in a vehicle. Examplesdisclosed herein provide a broadly acceptable acoustic performanceacross a range of potential occupants by conveying acoustic energy witha directivity aimed at a relatively low angle as compared to thosedirected to a nominal ear position. In various examples, the acousticoutput exits the backrest from a location below the nominal ear positionrelative to the seat's hip point. In particular examples, the acousticoutput achieves a consistent frequency response across a range ofpositions that deviate from the nominal ear position. In some examples,an acoustic assembly may include an enclosure or mounting point, one ormore loudspeakers, and one or more acoustic channels that conveyacoustic energy from the speakers to exits disposed in the seatbackrests. The acoustic assembly is configured to provide adirectionality at a relatively low angle, aimed lower than a nominal earposition of an expected group of occupants.

As used herein, the term “nominal ear position” is based upon the earpositions of a typical male of a given population. For such purposes,the term “typical” may mean the median (50^(th) percentile) earpositions relative to the seat, which may be relative to a headrestsurface and/or hip point when seated (e.g., as may be defined by SURFACEVEHICLE STANDARD J826, titled, “Devices for Use in Defining andMeasuring Vehicle Seating Accommodation, dated November 2015, availablefrom SAE International). For the purposes of illustration, the subjectpopulation used herein is American adult men. Positioning of a medianadult male, e.g., in FIG. 1 , is annotated as AM50. Half of the adultmale population is expected to have a higher ear position and halflower.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a seat 10 according to variousimplementations. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of theseat 10 in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows a perspective cut-away view of aportion of the seat 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIGS. 1-3 are referred toconcurrently.

As noted herein, the seat 10 can be: a vehicle driver seat, a vehiclepassenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, and/or ahome entertainment seat. In certain cases, seat 10 can serve multiplepurposes, e.g., as a gaming seat and a home entertainment seat (e.g., ina home theater). In additional cases, the seat 10 can be one of aplurality of seats in a vehicle, which may include similar componentsand/or capabilities. Various seating configurations can benefit fromaspects of the seat(s) illustrated according to various implementations,including among others: stadium seating in entertainment venues,multi-passenger vehicle seating configurations (e.g., where seat(s) 10are used for the driver and/or passengers), home entertainmentconfigurations (e.g., where a row or plurality of seat(s) 10 arearranged), and others. In some examples, the seat 10 is a seat in a ridesharing vehicle, a limousine, a bus, or a public transit vehicle. Inparticular examples, the seat 10 is one of a plurality of vehiclepassenger seats, one or more of which includes the loudspeaker assembly.In some aspects, two or more of the seats 10 are arranged facing oneanother, e.g., in an across-the-aisle type configuration or in ahuddle-around configuration. In certain cases, the seat(s) 10 disclosedherein can benefit from being located in a cabin or other closed spacesuch as in a vehicle cabin (or, cab). Certain acoustic benefits can berealized in such cabin configurations. However, many of the benefits ofthe seat(s) 10 disclosed herein can be realized in other seatingconfigurations and other environments.

In various implementations, the seat 10 includes a base 12, a seatbackrest portion 14 coupled with the base 12 (e.g., at a hinge point16), and a seat headrest portion 18 coupled with the seat backrestportion 14. In certain implementations, the seat headrest portion 18 isadjustable relative to the seat backrest portion 14. In other cases, theseat headrest portion 18 is fixed relative to the seat backrest portion14. The seat 10 further includes a loudspeaker assembly 20 with anacoustic exit 22 fixed in the seat backrest portion 14. The loudspeakerassembly 20 also includes an acoustic driver (e.g., electroacoustictransducer) 24 for generating an acoustic output. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1 , the driver 24 is located proximate (e.g., nextto, or adjacent to) the acoustic exit 22. However, this proximity is notrequired. That is, in various additional implementations, the driver 24can be physically separated from the acoustic exit 22, e.g., by severalcentimeters (cm) or more. In certain cases, the driver 24 is separatedfrom the acoustic exit 22 by 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm or more. Inparticular cases, an acoustic channel or a waveguide (not shown)connects the driver 24 and the exit 22, such that the driver 24 islocated closer to the base 12 of the seat 10 than the exit 22, or thedriver 24 is internally mounted in the seat backrest portion 14, e.g.,near the mid-point between the base 12 and the headrest portion 18. Incertain cases, the acoustic exit 22 is covered by a grill and/or by anacoustically transparent covering of the backrest.

In various implementations, the loudspeaker assembly 20 may include anenclosure 21 mounted in the backrest portion 14, or a mounting plate orother suitable mechanical arrangement. In some examples, a void in thebackrest portion 14 (e.g., a space within and/or between cushioningand/or structural elements of the backrest portion 14) may serve as anacoustic volume that affects a tuning of the driver 24.

The acoustic channel may have an increasing cross-section, e.g., gettinglarger as it gets further from the driver 24, as is generallyillustrated in FIG. 1 . In other examples, an acoustic channel may havevarying shapes and may have decreasing or substantially constantcross-section.

In various examples, an acoustic channel, enclosure, and/or void in thebackrest portion 14 may impact the directivity of the driver 24. Sucharrangements may be deemed an acoustic assembly in general, andreferences to directivity herein may refer to the directivity of such anacoustic assembly when installed, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. In some examples, such as when an acoustic channel does notocclude the driver 24 (e.g., does not get in the way of a direct linefrom the driver 34 to the ear), the directivity of the acoustic assemblymay be substantially the same as the directivity of the driver 24,especially at mid-range to higher frequencies where the acoustic outputbecomes more directional. In various disclosed examples, therefore, thedirectivity of the acoustic assembly may be substantially aligned withthe axis of the driver 24.

In any case, the acoustic exit 22 of the loudspeaker assembly 20 isfixed in the seat backrest portion 14, and in particular cases, is fixedrelative to the seat backrest portion 14. That is, as the seat backrestportion 14 is moved (e.g., reclined or inclined, raised or lowered), theacoustic exit 22 remains fixed relative to the seat backrest portion 14.It is understood, however, that the firing angle of the driver 24 (andconsequently, the acoustic exit 22) can change relative to the nominalear position as the seat backrest portion 14 is inclined (e.g., movedvertically farther from the seat hip point (HP)) and reclined (e.g.,moved vertically closer to the HP). In certain of these cases, as thebackrest portion 14 is inclined from the 21 degree reference position inFIG. 1 , the firing angle becomes more downward, while as the backrestportion 14 is reclined from the 21 degree reference position, the firingangle becomes more upward. This is due in part to how the occupant tendsto slide, or slouch in the seat while reclining, and tends to situpright as the seat is brought upright.

In certain other implementations, the firing angle of the driver 24and/or the angle of the acoustic exit 22 can be adjustable within arelatively narrow range, e.g., via movement of the driver 24 and/oradjustment of the acoustic enclosure and/or walls defining the exit 22.This small adjustment can be beneficial in compensating for sliding orslouching by the occupant when the seat reclines beyond a particularangle, e.g., at or beyond a 30 degree recline, 40 degree recline, or 45degree recline. In particular examples, the firing angle of the driver24 and/or the angle of the acoustic exit 22 is configured to adjust,e.g., by several degrees, in response to the recline angle of the seatreaching a threshold. Firing angle adjustment can be automated, e.g.,via control system command and/or via a weighted adjustment mechanism.

In certain implementations, the acoustic exit 22 is angled to providethe acoustic output (from driver 24, along axis (a)) to a location 26below the nominal ear position 28 of an occupant 30 (illustrativenominal occupant, AM50, shown) of the seat 10. In some implementations,the location 26 is approximately 60 millimeters below the nominal earposition 28, plus or minus approximately 50 millimeters.

In particular cases, the firing angle (a) of the driver 24 (as measuredfrom acoustic exit 22) provides the acoustic output to achieve aconsistent frequency response across a range of positions that deviatefrom the nominal ear position 28. In certain cases, the range ofpositions deviating from the nominal ear position include lowerpositions associated with occupants sitting lower in the seat, or higherpositions associated with occupants sitting higher in the seat. Therange (Range) of positions is illustrated in a non-limiting example inFIG. 1 , and in some cases, spans from the an expected ear position of a95th percentile adult male (annotated AM95) to a 5th percentile adultfemale (annotated AF05). AM95 indicates a location that is about 60millimeters (mm) higher than AM50, while AF05 indicates a location thatis about 116 mm lower than AM50.

In various implementations the firing angle (a) of the driver 24 can bemeasured relative to a horizontal plane intersecting the seat backrestportion 14 while in the reference recline angle of 21 degrees, as shownin FIG. 1 . The firing angle (a) of the driver 24 (as output viaacoustic exit 22) can be equal to approximately 5 degrees toapproximately 15 degrees in some cases, approximately 7 degrees toapproximately 13 degrees in additional cases, approximately 8 degrees toapproximately 12 degrees in additional cases, and approximately 10degrees to 11 degrees in additional cases. In a specific example, thefiring angle (a) of the driver 24 is equal to approximately 10.8degrees. It is understood that this firing angle (a) of the driver 24can vary with seatback angle variation, which can range from severaldegrees up to approximately +/−10 degrees. In any case, the firing angle(a) of the driver 24 (and corresponding acoustic exit 22) directs theacoustic output to the location 26 below the ear of the occupant 30. Itis understood that the acoustic channel around the driver 24 can beflared in various implementations, e.g., with a tolerance ofapproximately +/−15 degrees.

In certain of these cases, as illustrated in the example in FIG. 1 , theacoustic exit 22 is located below the nominal ear position 28 of theoccupant 30 relative to the hip point (HP) of the seat 10. In particularexamples (at 21 degree recline angle), as indicated by distance (h) inFIG. 1 , a center of the acoustic exit 22 is approximately 562 mm toapproximately 650 mm vertically higher than the HP of seat 10. In moreparticular examples, the center of the acoustic exit 22 is approximately562 mm to approximately 577 mm vertically higher than the HP of seat 10.In further particular examples, the center of the acoustic exit 22 isapproximately 567 mm to approximately 572 mm vertically higher than theHP of seat 10. In a particular example such as shown in FIG. 1 , wherethe firing angle (a) of the driver 24 is approximately 10 degrees toapproximately 11 degrees, the center of the acoustic exit 22 isapproximately 567 mm vertically higher than the HP of seat 10.

In some cases, the consistent frequency response of the acoustic outputis a function of both the firing angle (a) of the driver 24 and thelocation of the exit 22, e.g., relative to the nominal ear position 28of the occupant 30. For example, the consistent frequency response canbe characterized by a high frequency (HF) consistency greater than an HFconsistency for an acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position28. In particular examples, the acoustic output from the seat 10 has aHF frequency response variation equal to or less than approximatelyone-half a HF frequency response variation for the acoustic outputprovided to the nominal ear position 28. In further particular cases,the HF frequency response variation of the acoustic output from the seat10 is approximately one-third to approximately one-half the HF frequencyresponse variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal earposition 28. In illustrative examples, the HF frequency responsevariation of the acoustic output from seat 10 was found to be around 12dBSPL/V or less in some cases, around 10 dBSPL/V or less in furthercases, and around 5 dBSPL/V or less in still further cases. These HFfrequency response variations were compared with the following HFfrequency response variations for the acoustic output provided to thenominal ear position: 15 dBSPL/V, 15 dBSPL/V, and 10 dBSPL/V,respectively.

In certain implementations, the acoustic output from the seat 10 has amid-range frequency (MF) frequency response variation that is less thana MF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided tothe nominal ear position 28. In particular examples, this MF frequencyresponse variation from the seat 10 is about 10-20 percent less than theMF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to thenominal ear position 28. In still further implementations, theconsistent frequency response of the acoustic output from seat 10 isfurther characterized by a LF consistency equal to or greater than a LFconsistency for an acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position28.

In some implementations, HF is equal to or greater than approximately 4kilo-Hertz (kHz), and may span up to approximately 20 kHz or more, andLF is equal to approximately 1 kHz or less. Mid-range frequencies can beequal to approximately 1 kHz to approximately 4 kHz.

In certain example implementations, the “consistent frequency response”includes a frequency response of the loudspeaker assembly 20, and ischaracterized by at least one of: inter-aural isolation for the occupant30, or seat-to-seat isolation between multiple occupants of a spaceincluding the seat 10 (e.g., multiple occupants in a vehicle, ormultiple occupants in a home theater or entertainment venue). In seatshaving two loudspeaker assemblies (e.g., left and right loudspeakerassemblies 20), seat-to-seat isolation is maintained by both loudspeakerassemblies 20 in the seat 10.

In some cases (e.g., as visible in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 ) the seat 10includes at least two loudspeaker assemblies 20 such as left and rightloudspeaker assemblies. In certain of these cases, the seat 10 is avehicle seat, with an inboard loudspeaker assembly (closer to the centerof the vehicle cabin) and an outboard loudspeaker assembly (closer tothe vehicle's external wall or door). According to variousimplementations, for the loudspeaker assembly 20 positioned in theoutboard location, the LF consistency of the acoustic output from theseat 10 is greater than the LF consistency for the acoustic outputprovided to the nominal ear position 28.

In certain examples, such as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the seatbackrest portion 14 has a middle portion 34 and two flanks 36, 38extending from opposite sides 40, 42 of the middle portion 36. Incertain cases, without the occupant 30 in the seat 10, the front surface32 of the backrest portion 14 at each flank 36, 38 is angled relative tothe front surface 32 of the middle portion 36. In these cases, theacoustic exit(s) 22 of each loudspeaker assembly 20 are located in oneof the flanks 36, 38.

In particular examples, as shown in FIG. 2 , the acoustic exits 22 havean inward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of the middleportion 36. In further examples, as shown in the top cross-sectionalview of seat 10 in FIG. 5 , the drivers 24 in a two-driver configurationcan have an inward (lateral) firing angle (β) of approximately 5 degreesto approximately 15 degrees when measured from a centerline that bisectsthe backrest portion 14. In particular cases, the lateral firing angle(β) is equal to approximately 8 degrees to approximately 12 degrees, andin more particular cases, is equal to approximately 10 degrees. Asdescribed further herein with respect to FIG. 8 , inward firing anglescan vary based on vertical positioning of drivers 24, e.g., larger (h)values are associated with lower inward firing angles.

As noted herein, according to various implementations, the seat headrestportion 18 is adjustable relative to the seat backrest portion 14. Forexample, FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , and FIG. 5 each illustrate configurations ofa seat headrest portion 18 that is adjustable relative to the seatbackrest portion 14. For example, the seat headrest portion(s) 18 can bemoved vertically relative to the seat backrest portion 14, and inparticular cases, can be configured to slide in a direction that is notstrictly vertical. In particular cases, such as the configurationillustrated in FIG. 2 , the seat headrest portion 18 has at least asection 44 that is vertically aligned with a section 46 of the seatbackrest portion 14 relative to the hip point (HP) of the seat 10. Incertain cases, the section 46 of the seat backrest 14 verticallyoverlaps the section 44 of the seat headrest portion 18. In additionalimplementations, such as the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 (aswell as FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the seat backrest 14 (e.g., section 46) extendsabove a nominal shoulder 48 of the occupant 30 (FIG. 1 ).

FIG. 5 illustrates a variation on the seat(s) illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .In particular, the seat 10 a in FIG. 5 is shown including loudspeakerassemblies 20 a mounted in the headrest portion 18 a of the seat 10 a.In these cases, the loudspeaker assemblies 20 a in the headrest portion18 a are positioned with exits 22 a that have outward firing angles,while loudspeaker assemblies 20 b in the backrest portion 14 arepositioned with exits 22 b that have inward firing angles. In certain ofthese cases, the loudspeaker assemblies 20 b in the backrest portion 14have an upward firing angle and are located vertically below the nominalear position as described with reference to any of FIGS. 1-4 . In someexamples, additional features of a headrest portion similar to theheadrest portion 18 a can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,730,423, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further description ofseating positions and acoustic parameters of occupants in seats can befound in U.S. Pat. No. 10,455,327 (“Binaural Measurement System”), whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of seat 10 a in FIG. 5. As illustrated in this example, the loudspeaker assemblies 20 b in thebackrest portion 14 have an inward (lateral) firing angle (β) ofapproximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees when measured from acenterline (CL) that bisects the backrest portion 14. In particularcases, the lateral firing angle (β) is equal to approximately 14 degreesto approximately 34 degrees, and in more particular cases, is equal toapproximately 20 degrees to approximately 28 degrees, and in furtherparticular cases is equal to approximately 24 degrees. As describedfurther herein with respect to FIG. 8 , inward firing angles can varybased on vertical positioning of drivers 24, e.g., larger (h) values areassociated with lower inward firing angles.

FIG. 7 illustrates a variation on a seat 10 c according to variousimplementations. In this configuration, seat 10 c includes at least onedriver 24 c (e.g., two drivers, one on each side of seat 10 c) that ismounted in the seat 24 c at a location above the shoulder 48 of thenominal occupant 30. In this case, the driver 24 c has a downward firingangle (a) relative to horizontal in order to direct the acoustic outputto the location 26 below the ear of the nominal occupant 30. In thesecases, the backrest 14 can extend above the shoulder 48 of the nominaloccupant 30, and at least a portion of the headrest 18 is interposedbetween sections of the backrest 14. In certain of these cases, theheadrest 18 is adjustable (e.g., in height or angle), while in others,the headrest 18 is fixed (e.g., in a “mummy” style seat). In any case,the downward firing angle (a) is configured to deliver the acousticoutput to the location 26 below the ear of the nominal occupant 30, andprovide a consistent frequency response across the range (Range) ofpositions in the seat 10 c. In certain cases, the firing angle (a) isequal to approximately 13 to approximately 23 degrees (or, relative tohorizontal, approximately −13 degrees to approximately −23 degrees). Inmore particular cases, the firing angle (a) is equal to approximately−15 degrees to approximately −21 degrees. In further particular cases,the firing angle (a) is equal to approximately −18 degrees. According tocertain implementations, the height (h) of the exit 22 is greater thanin the upward firing configurations described herein, e.g., as comparedwith seat 10 in FIG. 1 . That is, in various implementations having adownward (or negative) firing angle (a) such as seat 10 c, the height(h) of the exit 22 is equal to approximately 642 mm to approximately 652mm. In more particular cases, the height (h) of the exit is less thanapproximately 650 mm, and in particular cases, is equal to approximately647 mm.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of a portion of a seat 50 with anoccupant 30 according to various implementations. In this depiction,three variations on the position of exits from loudspeaker assemblies 20in the backrest portion 14 are illustrated. For example, a firstposition (i) illustrates an exit 22 having a transducer (not shown) witha first upward firing angle (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6 ), asecond position (ii) illustrates an exit 22 having a transducer with asecond upward firing angle, and a third position (iii) illustrates anexit 22 having a transducer with either a downward firing angle or anapproximately normal firing direction (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7). While the acoustic exit 22 is described in various implementations ashaving an upward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of theseat backrest portion 14 adjacent to the exit 22 (e.g., in positions (i)and/or (ii)), in certain additional implementations, the acoustic exit22 has a downward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of theseat backrest portion 14 adjacent to the exit 22 (e.g., in position(iii)). In these cases, position (iii) can be located at approximatelythe same height as the nominal ear position 28, or slightly above thenominal ear position 28 (as shown in FIG. 7 ). Additional exit 22positions are illustrated by stars in seat 50, merely as examples. Incertain non-limiting examples, in position (i) and/or position (ii), acenterline (CL) to exit 22 spacing (d1) is equal to approximately 270 mmto approximately 330 mm, and in some particular examples, approximately300 mm. In additional non-limiting examples, in position (iii), acenterline (CL) to exit 22 spacing (d2) is equal to approximately 180 mmto approximately 220 mm, and in particular examples, approximately 200mm.

The loudspeaker position and orientation combinations illustrated inFIGS. 1-8 may provide a better acoustic performance across a range ofindividuals than conventional seatback speakers. The loudspeaker may becloser to an ear position of shorter individuals but the orientation ofthe loudspeaker means that an ear position of taller individuals is morein line with the directivity of the loudspeaker (or the acousticassembly).

Accordingly, as an occupant's height and ear position varies, atrade-off occurs between distance from the loudspeaker and alignmentwith the directivity of the loudspeaker(s) and/or acoustic assembly.This provides a benefit because the designer of the vehicle seat doesnot know the position of the occupant's ear because many differentoccupants may use the vehicle seat at different times. Accordingly, theseatback speakers in accord with the examples described herein arebeneficial for not knowing where the occupant's ear is located and mayprovide substantially equal acoustic performance regardless of theoccupant's ear position, e.g., regardless of who uses the seat.

Further, while an ear position of a taller individual is further fromthe loudspeaker, it may also be closer to a roof or headliner of avehicle, and may benefit from acoustic reinforcement from the headliner(and/or roof). Additionally, the taller individual's shoulders may bepositioned nearer to being in front of the loudspeaker and may alsoprovide acoustic reinforcement. For completeness, relatively shorterindividuals may have an ear position closer to the loudspeaker and thusnot require acoustic reinforcement. Accordingly, the loudspeaker may besuitably positioned lower in the backrest, in accord with some of theexamples described herein.

Certain components in the disclosed systems may not be depicted, but areunderstood to enable various additional functions. For example, systemscan include additional electronics including but not limited to powersource(s), processors, memory, communications components such astransmitters/receivers, network connection equipment (including but notlimited to: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular or near field communications(NFC) equipment) and location-identification components (e.g., GPSsystems). Additionally, systems disclosed herein can include one or moreinterfaces allowing user interaction that includes one or moreconventional inputs, such as haptic inputs including a dial, button,touch screen, etc. Additional interfaces can include a fabric withintegrated sensing/interface components, which can be referred to as a“smart” fabric. The interface can also include a voice commandinterface, such that the user can make adjustments using voice commands.The interface can also include a gesture-based interface, such that theuser can make adjustments with gestures (e.g., hand wave, nodding,etc.).

Commonly labeled components in the FIGURES are considered to besubstantially equivalent components for the purposes of illustration,and redundant discussion of those components is omitted for clarity.Numerical ranges and values described according to variousimplementations are merely examples of such ranges and values, and arenot intended to be limiting of those implementations. In some cases, theterm “approximately” is used to modify values, and in these cases, canrefer to that value +/−a margin of error, such as a measurement error,which may range from up to 1-3 percent.

In various implementations, components described as being “coupled” toone another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In someimplementations, these interfaces can include junctions between distinctcomponents, and in other cases, these interfaces can include a solidlyand/or integrally formed interconnection. That is, in some cases,components that are “coupled” to one another can be simultaneouslyformed to define a single continuous member. However, in otherimplementations, these coupled components can be formed as separatemembers and be subsequently joined through known processes (e.g.,soldering, fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding). In variousimplementations, electronic components described as being “coupled” canbe linked via conventional hard-wired and/or wireless means such thatthese electronic components can communicate data with one another.Additionally, sub-components within a given component can be consideredto be linked via conventional pathways, which may not necessarily beillustrated.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that additional modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein,and, accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A seat comprising: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrestportion; and a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver forgenerating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seatbackrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a locationbelow a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein anangle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achievea consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviatingfrom the nominal ear position, wherein the consistent frequency responseis characterized by a high frequency (HF) consistency greater than an HFconsistency for an acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position.2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic exit is located below thenominal ear position of the occupant relative to a hip point of theseat.
 3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic output from the seathas a HF frequency response variation equal to or less thanapproximately one half a HF frequency response variation for theacoustic output provided to the nominal ear position.
 4. The seat ofclaim 1, wherein the consistent frequency response is furthercharacterized by a low frequency (LF) consistency equal to or greaterthan a LF consistency for an acoustic output provided to the nominal earposition, wherein HF is at least approximately 4 kilo-Hertz (kHz) toapproximately 12 kHz, and LF is equal to approximately 1 kHz or less. 5.The seat of claim 4, wherein the seat comprises a vehicle seat and theloudspeaker assembly is positioned in an outboard location, and whereinthe LF consistency of the acoustic output from the seat is greater thanthe LF consistency for the acoustic output provided to the nominal earposition.
 6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the location is approximately60 millimeters below the nominal ear position, plus or minusapproximately 50 millimeters, as measured from a hip point of the seat.7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one driver is locatedproximate the acoustic exit or is separated from the acoustic exit, andwherein the consistent frequency response includes a frequency responseof the loudspeaker assembly, and wherein the acoustic output ischaracterized by at least one of: inter-aural isolation for theoccupant, or seat-to-seat isolation between multiple occupants of aspace including the seat.
 8. The seat of claim 1, wherein the positionsdeviating from the nominal ear position comprise lower positionsassociated with occupants sitting lower in the seat, or higher positionsassociated with occupants sitting higher in the seat.
 9. The seat ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one driver has a downward firing anglerelative to a horizontal plane intersecting the seat backrest portionadjacent to the acoustic exit.
 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein at arecline angle of approximately 21 degrees from vertical, a center of theacoustic exit is approximately 562 mm to approximately 650 mm verticallyhigher than a hip point of the seat.
 11. The seat of claim 1, whereinthe acoustic exit is fixed relative to the seat backrest portion. 12.The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat headrest portion is adjustablerelative to the seat backrest portion, wherein the seat headrest portionhas at least a section that is vertically aligned with a section of theseat backrest portion relative to a hip point of the seat, wherein theseat backrest extends above a nominal shoulder of the occupant.
 13. Theseat of claim 1, wherein the seat is one of: a vehicle driver seat, avehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, or ahome entertainment seat.
 14. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seatbackrest portion has a middle portion and two flanks extending fromopposite sides of the middle portion, wherein without the occupant inthe seat, a front surface of the backrest at each flank is angledrelative to a front surface of the middle portion, and wherein theacoustic exit of the loudspeaker assembly is located in one of theflanks.
 15. A vehicle comprising the seat of claim
 1. 16. A seatcomprising: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and aloudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating anacoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portionand angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominalear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein the location isapproximately 60 millimeters below the nominal ear position, plus orminus approximately 50 millimeters, as measured from a hip point of theseat, and wherein an angle of the at least one driver provides theacoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across arange of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.
 17. Avehicle comprising the seat of claim
 16. 18. A seat comprising: a seatheadrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assemblycomprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; andan acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled toprovide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear positionof an occupant of the seat, wherein an angle of the at least one driverprovides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency responseacross a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position, andwherein the at least one driver has a downward firing angle relative toa horizontal plane intersecting the seat backrest portion adjacent tothe acoustic exit.
 19. A vehicle comprising the seat of claim 18.